Cristiano Ronaldo will stay behind with Al Nassr for their AFC Champions League last-16 clash against Esteghlal in Iran on Monday. The Portuguese star’s no-show comes as he faces a backlash for a gesture made during a prior visit to the country that could lead to legal trouble.
In 2023, on a visit to Iran with Al Nassr for a match against Persepolis, Ronaldo was filmed embracing and kissing the forehead of Fatemeh Hammami Nasrabadi, a disabled artist who paints with her feet. The act may also be viewed as adultery under Iranian law, because the kiss was not on the lips of his wife.
Al Nassr are set to omit Ronaldo when they travel to participate in the match after the Iranian club rejected proposals to play at a neutral venue. And if he returns to the country, the 39-year-old could be sentenced to receive 99 lashes, according to reports.
Al Nassr will now look to qualify for the last eight without their star attacker.
